Drop Anchor, the Rogue's notebook.

Backside peek (L-R), Susan Constant, Discovery, and Godspeed at mooring on the James River.
 Jamestown Ferry dock, 9/20/2024.

"Swinging gently on its anchor line, the ship was nearly silent in

the predawn light. The low groaning of the rigging and the soft 

lapping of the waves against the hull were the only sounds...

     The first one awake, the expedition's leader had finished

breakfast before coming on deck, bringing with him only what

remained of his morning drink. It was the drink that had him

concerned, for on drawing his morning beer he had seen how

perilously low the ship's supply of ale had dwindled."

-The Dawn of American Beer, Beer In America.

     Water. Love the water. To be by the water. Drop anchor. Find your center. Zac sang it, " There's a place where the boat leaves from. It takes away all your big problems..." Pretty convinced I'm not gonna be usin' a stick anytime soon. So, eye out for water elsewhere. Rivers. Creeks. The Bay's tributaries. On the right coast these liquid byways lead to hidden coves, sloughs, and protected harbors. Places to float, shelter, hide (if you're running...or not). Our return to the Tidewater peninsula. The vow? To visit sites previously unseen. New resort digs. Restaurants. Breweries. Even made the effort within Colonial Williamsburg to find those nooks, crannies, and corners we hadn't been ventured thru before. Before we left, our supply of ale was restored. A trip pictorial, post mooring. 

The Brass Tap. Beer good. Food better. 

        

Frothy Moon Brewhouse's

Beam Me Up Scottie Brown

Ale. Roasted malts and toffee 

in both aroma and flavor. Hints

of chocolate.  First taste very

good. Tailed off the more I

drank it. 6.2% ABV. 23IBUs.

 Rated a C+.

Beer and coffee brewery. Preferred the beer. Wife loved the coffee.

 

The Colony- Williamsburg base camp.

Upscale sports bar. Good food, nice drink selection.

For breakfast - simply the best...so far.

The Ewing House, E. Frances St.- And so it begins...

Alewerks Windmill 

Wheat. Colonial 

feature. Mandarin

oranges. Cardamom. 

Citrusy. Clean, 

slightly bitter finish.

5% ABV. Est. 25IBUs. 

B rate.

Robertson's Windmill. 

Iconic Williamsburg Inn. This started it for me. First ever visit with my Grandparents as a pre-teen. This is where we stayed. How can you not fall? 9/21/2024.

Liberty Lounge - Thank you for your service!

"Oh bloody hell...ok- Cheers Mate!"

Raleigh Tavern - the barroom brawl that started a country.

 

Nor'east Duke of Gloucester Street.

Berret's Seafood. Great Chesapeake oysters during happy hour.
Outside raw bar was kickin'! Interior atmosphere was a bit bland,
and the seafood could've used a spice-me up.

Another Alewerks American

Heritage brew. Choclate

Stout. Coffee, toffee, and 

roasted malts. Not overly

sweet. Nice hop bite. 7% ABV.

Est. 40IBUs. A- rate.

  

Strange brews @ Strangeways!

Chill(y) evening at the Colony.

Smooth Marriott checkout, 9/22/2024.

Last Attempt, session notes from the Rogue.

Near or far, shorebreak be shorebreak. 47th Street empty break, 9/14/2024.

     Packed up for naught. Last attempt was not to be. Water had warmed considering the repetitive upwelling. Maybe 70F? Yet breaking on the hard pack. No Bueno. Skunked for the year. Gotten in the habit of quelling the surf appetite with some good cookin'. Not sure how well the evening's choice would make out considering the potentially painful tab. Regardless, the Wife and I have been targeting this choice of bite, and The Hobbit Restaurant has been around for awhile. From a locals hot spot to a locals exclusive spot. Can honestly say this place has ratcheted up the scale over the years. Sweet meal. Sweet evening. Not so sweet tab. Sweet sunset to offset.

Espresso Martinis, pan seared Dayboat Scallops, and Lollipop

Lamb Chops led into a nice catch of the day-  Swordfish steak 

dinner. Well prepared. But, prepare your wallet for sticker shock. 

Shorebreak, limiting surf- surely. Savory, delicious food- absolutely. Stunning sunset- definitely!

Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme... summer bar line,
 hangin' by the planters. "We didn't realize we were
making memories, we just knew we were having fun."
-College reflections. 

Kona Brewing, Big Wave Golden

Ale. Clean, clear pour. Finger thick,

fizzy, white head. Honey, and

 berries in the aromas. Light fruit,

grains, and distinctive 21 IBU hop

 hit in the flavor. 4.4% ABV made

 for an easy sixer. Rated a B+.

 

Summer Pin, session notes from the Rogue.

Findin' our shoreline, Sinepuxant Bay- 8/31/2024.

I need a day on the water

Ass in a float or a motorboat ride

SPF this blue collar
Turn boots into bare feet, find a shoreline
'Til we're chillin' like Buffet on a blue sky bender
Workin' on nothin' but a Busch Light
I need a day on the water
'Fore I up and lose my mind. 

            -James Barker Band

     Summer reachin' its pinnacle. Surf has been a wash. But between the SUP, and the Jet, have managed to stay on the water.

'Pines Swim Club lane.  Sunset paddle, 8/22/2024.

Heaven Hill bonded. Kentucky Straight

Bourbon Whiskey. Cherry Smoked 'Ol

Fashioned. Colors of amber and dark

cherry. Flavors of  rich caramel on the

 backbone. Notes of vanilla, honey,

 char, and oak. Cherry wood smoke.

 50ABV. Another A Rating.

Frecce Tricolori - The Italian Tricolor Arrows commemorates Verrazano's 500th anniversary to America.
Bayside seats, 8/24/2024.

De Lazy Lizard Marina, 8/31/2024.

Handouts?

Laughing Fish. Northern Golden

Ale. Upper Hand Brewery. Straw

yellow pour. 2 finger white foam head.

Apples, honey and crackers in the

aromas. Bready malts, and sweet

white grapes in the tastes. Crisp,

light hop finish. Estimated

20 IBUs. 4.9% ABV. Couple

cans for a mellow end. B rating.

Gateway to sunset's end. Rt 50 Bridge, 8/31/2024.

Off Hiatus, session notes from the Rogue

"Enticing white marlin to bite takes practice and finesse, but once hooked, the fight is on, as these fish are
 known for their acrobatic leaps and intense battles." -Fish In OC
Registration Day...anticipation of the return. Lotsa prep, big crowds, busy marina. Harbour Island, OCMD. 8/4/2024

      After 2 years (2022- the last WMO qualifying White Marlin brought to scale), the star of the White Marlin Open was finally off hiatus. Several brought in, but only two that qualified. Waste Knot outta NC brought the winner in on Day 1 at 77.5lbs. The 2nd placer weighed in at 76lbs. No biggies, but a triumphant return regardless. Hurricane season was making itself heard with Debby coming up the coast creating high seas on Friday (no one out). Up front, the tournament was extended to Saturday. Imagine. Having to wait five more days to see if you won. Captured $3.8 mil. I'd say it was worth it. As for our Crew. While Whitey was sittin' up front, we kinda' hung back. Debby was gonna make the weather during the week a bit erratic. Except for those invested, intermittent dark skies would keep many away from the scales. Good thing the Whim-O has a web-cam to monitor the incoming. Still got an up front view of all the prep action on registration day. Luv this event! It's like gittin' wet! Sorta.

Bait up!

 

Comeback claimed.

    Good beer to mellow out to, and enjoy the festivities. Old Nation's Lemon Shandy. 4.8% ABV makes it a sixer worth carrying around. Pours a copper-yellow. Nice finger+, white head. Sweet, citrusy aromas. Sweet lemonade, backed up with an ever so light bitterness at 7.0 IBUs on the palate. You at the Open? Need to drink and repeat, and enjoy without slurring. This is the one. Rated a solid B.

    Bourbon. Small Batch. "Most admired." That's Michter's. Flavors of stone fruit, touch of charred oak and vanilla. Copper color. Aromas of apple, smoke, more vanilla and oak. 45.7% ABV. One of my top bourbon's so far. Perfect toast to the return of "Whitey"!

Rated an A.

Crowded lineup; ready to release the horses. WMO 2024, 8/4/2024.